Spencer Arthur John Poncy

Spencer Arthur John "Art" Poncy, age 92, of La Grande died Monday, February 13, 2006 at his home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1002 "L" in La Grande. Private interment will be held at the Cove Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Art was born, February 12, 1914 in San Bernardino, California, the fourth of eight children born to Clarinda Therese Guithelmine Mandeville of Outremont, Quebec and Joseph Paul Poncy of Martinique and Bordeaux, France. He married Loretta Marie Wheeler in San Bernardino in 1930. He worked for his father in the round house of the Santa Fe Railroad and at Emmson's Dairy during the depression years. In 1940 he went to work for Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego. When World War II broke out, they asked him to teach aircraft school at the Ford Building. In four years he taught thousands of women to build B24s and P.B.Y. After the war he moved his family back to San Bernardino where he worked on the City Creek Road for Artucovich Co. and the Great American Canal for Matich Brothers. In 1950 in Las Angeles he worked for Murray Co., the largest plumbing and heating company in California. He ran three shops for 23 years. When he retired he and his wife moved to Wonder Valley, California. Loretta died in 1993 and in 1994 Art moved to Cove, Oregon to live with his daughter and son-in-law.

Cars were Art's hobby and his four children were his passion. He was never to busy to work on their cars and keep them running perfectly. He was a wonderful caring husband, father and friend. He was a member of the Torrance, California Elks Lodge, the Catholic Church and a volunteer fireman for Wonder Valley.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Jeanette and Ken Knott of Cove; son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Jerrie Poncy of Cypress, California; brother, Francis Poncy of Sisters, Oregon; eleven grandchildren, Terrie Crump of Cove, Oregon, Tina Hurst of Cove, Oregon, Lonny Meredith of Irrigon, Oregon, Julie Meredith of Roanoke, Texas, Tim Poncy of Lakewood, California, Brian Knott of S. Laguna Beach, California, Mark Knott of Suwanee, Georgia, Mike Knott of Laguna Beach, California and Kristy Looram of Kansas City, Missouri; seventeen great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, sons, Russell and Art Poncy, brothers, Francois, Clair, Henry, Raymond and Lawrence, sister, Therese Ford and his parents.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mr. Poncy to the PEO Foundation (for scholarships) in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850 or flowers are welcome.